So Many Ways to Kick Off the Holiday Season in the Southby Apryl Thomas

After the table has been cleared, and the leftovers (if any) have been put away, get up and get out and enjoy one of the many happenings kicking off the holiday season in the South.

Holiday Light Displays

- From now and until the new year, over 60 cities and towns throughout Arkansas sparkling plenty during the 20th annual Arkansas Trail of Holiday Lights. There'll be lights and more lights as well as various holiday festivities. Be on the lookout for Jingle, the holiday hog, who'll be visiting different places along the trail.

- Cruise through over 2 million LED lights adorning the 1.5-mile oval track and underneath the grandstand concourse at Texas Motor Speedway Gift of Lights in Fort Worth, Texas, November 26 - January 2, 2016. Head to Santa's Village for a cup of hot cocoa, free popcorn and fun.

- ZooLights 2015at the Baton Rouge (La.) Zoo has over 50 illuminated displays on a mile-long trail through the zoo from November 27 - December 30. Displays include sculptures, larger-than-life creations and animated pieces of both animals and traditional holiday symbols.

- Experience a coastal wonderland with Snowflakes in the Bay in Bay St. Louis and Waveland, Miss. Through January 1, century-old live oaks are all aglow with snowflakes.

- See the holiday lights at Jones Park through January 3 during the Gulfport (Miss.) Harbor Lights Winter Festival. Ride Santa's Bigwheel, the 65' Ferris Wheel for a birdseye's view of the lights. Step on the Ship Island Ferry to enjoy cocoa and refreshments.

- Theodore, Ala.'s Bellingrath Gardens and Home's 20th annual Magic Christmas in Lights features over 3 million lights in 15 different scenes that placed throughout the grounds of the 65-acre estate through January 2, 2016. Don't miss seeing the home decked out in holiday splendor.

- Magical Nights of Lights at Lake Lanier Islands in Buford, Ga., includes the six-mile drive through holiday lights. New this year is the Winter Adventurefeaturing snow zones, one-man bobsled tracks, carnival rides, fire pits to roast marshmallows and much more. Magical Nights of Lights run through January 3, 2016, while the Winter Adventure ends on February 13, 2016

- From A Main Street Christmas to Peppermint Plaza and more, Six Flags Holiday in the Park in Austell, Ga. (outside of Atlanta) will delight all. Ending on January 3, 2016, if the lights and seasonal activities aren't enough, some of the rides are running too.

- The holiday lights sparkle brightly through December 27 duringZoo Lights 2015at the GulfBreezeZoo in Santa Rosa County, Fla.

- Through January 31, 2016, see the illuminated displays surrounding Lake Chetola during the Festival of Lights at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, N.C. It's only during this drive that'll you see Rudolph catching a “big fish” in Chetola Lake.

- Take in the hundreds of thousands LED Christmas lights and displays at the 6th annual Dancing Lights at Christmasat Jellystone Park in Nashville, Tenn. Scheduled through January 3, 2016, some of the lights sync up with Christmas music. Be sure to stop by Santa's Village.

- The grounds at Cheekwoodin Nashville, Tenn., are glowing with holiday lights and displays through January 3, 2016, during Holiday Lights. While visiting, also enjoy the sounds of holiday carolers and treat yourself to s'more or a something sweet from Christie Cookie Co. Sweets Shop. Don't forget to see the live reindeer.

- The Dominion GardenFest of Lights: H2Whoa at The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Va., features 30-acres of lights and hand-crafted botanical decorations. On display through January 11, it highlights the many ways water surrounds us and shapes the world we live in.

- Christmas in the Park in Lebanon, Ky., feature a display of lights around the walking track at Graham Memorial Park. The lights shine through January 2, 2016.

- Fairmont, WVa.'s 8th annual Celebration of Lights features 1.3 miles of bright Christmas displays at Morris Park through December 27. Special walker’s nights take place November 30 and December 10.

City Celebrations

- The annual “Elf Parade and Lighting of the Greens” begins at 4:30 p.m. on November 27. Traveling throughout downtown Pensacola, anyone may participate. Hundreds of children dressed as elves, adults and holiday characters meet Santa Claus at the Escambia County Courthouse for the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree and a blizzard of Southern-made snow.

- Beach Home for the Holidays kicks off the holiday season with Christmas concerts, a Christmas tree lighting and fireworks display November 27 - 28. Gather at Aaron Bessant Park Amphitheater to enjoy John Berry’s Christmas Concert on Friday evening and Panama City POPS Orchestra Christmas Concert on Saturday evening.

- On November 28, starting at 6 p.m., there'll be eggnog, caroling and an appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus during Light Up Key Largo (Fla.) The annual tree lighting will be held at the Murray E. Nelson Government Center and Key Largo Cultural Center, MM 102.

- Dickens Christmas in Lebanon, Ky., on November 28 features carolers, Trail of Treats, a live nativity and more. The Lebanon Main Street parade starts at 7 p.m., and there is an arts & crafts fair at the Marion County Heritage Center on Friday and Saturday, November 29.

- Join Kitty Hawk Kites and visit Santa, then stick around for the Kites with Lights as multiple 19ft-30ft kites flying high over Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head, N.C., on November 28. The kites are decked out in holiday lights and swaying to holiday music. Stay warm with cocoa and cookies and enjoy other festive actives at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing.

- The 32nd North Carolina Holiday Flotilla & Festival in the Park in Wrightsville Beach, N.C., on November 27-28 has a daytime festival and an evening showcase of illuminated boats and fireworks. Begin the celebration on Friday night when the island’s Christmas tree is lit at 5:45 p.m. On Saturday, a full day of entertainment starts with a free Festival in the Park from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Wrightsville Beach Park. At 6:00 p.m. the main attraction—the holiday flotilla—gets underway.

Trains and Trolleys

Departing from Batesville, Miss., on selected dates through December 27, The Polar Express features dancing chefs, singing elves and Santa himself. Train passengers are encouraged to come wearing their pajamas, and can expect the one-hour experience to recreate the sights and sounds of the beloved Polar Express story.

- Pensacola Winterfest offers old-fashioned trolleys and intimate carriage rides throughout Downtown Pensacola from November 27 - December 23. The music-filled Christmas trolley tours provide all ages the chance to get close to Santa Claus, Frosty, and other classic Christmas characters.

- While on board the Santa Express Train, departing from Blue Ridge, Ga., hear "Twas The Night Before Christmas," sing Christmas carols and enjoy a meet and greet with the Jolly Ol' St. Nick. The train takes off November 27 and rides throughout December.

- New Iberia's Historic Main Street hosts the Envision da Berry's "Window Wonderland" from November 28 - December 31. Storefront windows display festive holiday themed decor in the style of New York City department store windows like Bergdorf Goodman or Bloomingdale's. This year's decorative theme will coincide with "Magic on Main has Frozen Over" featuring wintry, snowy and icy colors, textures and subjects.

- Jeweled Christmas Tourat The Towers in Natchez, Miss., features over 100 Christmas trees, some no more than one inch high and others 14 feet tall, music, collections of antebellum furnishings and decorative arts, and more. Tours are slated from November 28- January 2, 2016.

- Join Kevin Harvick, his son, Keelan, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s new mascot, Champ the Cheetah, for the first annual NASCAR Hall of Fame Tree Lighting on November 28. There will also be holiday music, family activities and food trucks. The first 2,000 attendees will receive a complimentary Santa hat. Admission is free.